Water ski improvement

ABSTRACT

A water ski having a pair of steps affixed to the underside of the ski close to the front and rear ends of the ski. The steps are remote from the center of the ski where the skier stands, and are dimensioned to maintain the center generally away from the surface of the water while under way. The ski thereby flexes resulting in optimum comfort for the rider in choppy waters. The steps can be made integral with the ski, or can be separately molded and affixed to the ski. Preferably the front step is dimensioned to provide a greater lift than the rear step. This causes the skier to fall backwards in the event of a spill making the ski safer to use.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Daniel C. Shewmon 3702 Mount Laurel Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121 [21] Appl. No. 878,384

[22] Filed Nov. 20, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 {54] WATER SKI IMPROVEMENT Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Sauberer Auomey-Ober1in, Maky, Donnelly & Renner ABSTRACT: A water ski having a pair of steps affixed to the underside of the ski close to the front and rear ends of the ski. The steps are remote from the center of the ski where the skier stands, and are dimensioned to maintain the center generally away from the surface of the water .while under way, The ski thereby flexes resulting in optimum comfort for the rider in choppy waters.

The steps can be made integral with the ski, or can be separately molded and affixed to the ski. Preferably the front step is dimensioned to provide a greater lift than the rear step. This causes the skier to fall backwards in the event of a spill making the ski safer to use.

PATENTEDAUEI n91:

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVIENTOR DAN/EL C. SHEWMO/V BY a a iTTORNEYS WATER SKI IMPROVEMENT DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to improvements in water skis, and in particular to a novel design of the underside of a ski for an improved ride and safety in the use of the ski.

Water skis currently in use are flat boardlike members which are turned up in front. The skis may be used in pairs, or separately for slalom skiing. In either event, unless the water is unusually calm, the ripples or waves on the surface of the water slap against the front and bottom of the ski. The repeated slapping is transmitted as vibration through the ski to the feet of the skier causing undue fatigue and muscle cramps. This is turn limits skiing to the amount of discomfort which the skier can endure.

When the skier is fatigued and numb, he is more liable to lose his balance and fall. In many cases, during the fall, the skier pitches forward into the water and is exposed to injury by the skis which pitch-pole after him.

It has been proposed to position Hydrofoillike devices on the bottom of skis to raise the skis out of the water. These devices have fins or other structures which protrude laterally or downwardly from the ski and clearly increase the hazard of injury to the skier during spills. I

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ski in which fatigue on the part of the skier, particularly in choppy waters, is reduced.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a ski which is safer to use than conventional, skis.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a means which can be added to an existing ski for improving the ride of the ski and reducing fatigue on the part of the skier, and which at the same time is not an additional hazard to the skier.

It is also an object of the invention to provide sucha means which is relatively inexpensive to make and easy to install or employ.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. In such annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the underside of the ski in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the ski of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the ski of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are section views taken along lines 44, 5-5, and 6-6 ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate embodiments of the present invention viewed along a plane similar to that of line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate in detail a feature of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10, of FIG. 9. Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a water ski 12 which is conventional to the extent that it comprises a longitudinally extending generally flat section 14 with an upturned front end 16. On the upper side 18 of the ski about in the center, a foot holder 20 is provided in which the rider places one of his feet. Behind the foot holder 20 is a second foot holder 22 for slalom skiing.

In accordance with the present invention, the underside 24 of the ski is provided with front and rear steps 26 and 28. These steps are located, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, remote from the center of the ski. In the embodiment illustrated, the steps are positioned at the extreme ends of the skis, although this is not essential.

Each step is generally wedge-shaped member having a thickened body portion 29 and a tapered leading portion 30. In that the front step is located at the extreme forward end of the ski, the leading portion 30 is curved upwardly to conform with the end of the ski. The trailing edge of each step terminates abruptly, although the trailing edge 32 of the rear'step is provided with a reverse angle to reduce drag, while the trailing edge 34 of the front step simply terminates in a plane perpendicular to the underside of the ski.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the front and rear steps also differ slightly in the shape of the bottom surfaces thereof, that of the front step (area 36) being generally flat across its width. The flat portion 38 of the rear step extends rearwardly from the leading edge of the step narrowing in width to provide angled sides 40 of increasing width (notice FIG. 3). Aft of the flat portion 38 of the rear step, the angled sides come together along line 42 to provide somewhat of a V- shaped fin along this line. Above the angled sides, the rear step is provided with inwardly directed angled surfaces 44 (FIGS. 2 and 5) which extend between the angled sides 40 and the underside of the ski, and also define the reverse angle of the rear edge 32 of the step.

The above configuration of the rear step, namely the V-configuration, is particularly suitable for use at moderate speeds to provide additional stability for the skier. The rear step can be flat across its width for the full length of the step similar to the front step if desired.

Preferably, the front step has positioned longitudinally along the sides of the bottom surface 36 of the step a pair of fins 46 which act as spray deflectors. The fins extend downwardly at right angles to the bottom surface and have an outer straight edge 48 (FIG. 4) approximately coplanar with the sides of the step, and an inner sloped edge 50. The leading edge 52 (FIG. 3) of each line is streamlined to provide minimum resistance. The purpose of the fins is to deflect spray which normally would be thrown laterally from the bottom of the step during use. With conventional lift devices, such as hydrofoils on the bottom of skis, and the use of both skis, as compared to slalom skiing, the sprays from the skis, in the form of thin sheets of water converge and deflect into a vertical sheet of spray toward the skiers body and face. This is prevented by the shallow deflectors on both sides of each front step.

FIG. 4a illustrates an alternative configuration for the front step which prevents spray from being thrown upwardly into the face of the skier. In the embodiment of FIG. 4a the lower surface 54 of the step is provided with a concave shape with edges 56 which act as deflectors. As a further alternative, the deflectors could be simply in the form of two strips of metal or plastic attached to the sides of the step extending below the lowermost surface of the step.

In operation, the front and rear steps hold the center of the ski between the steps clear of the surface of the water. The feet of the skier, being more or less centrally located with respect to the ends of the ski, press downwardly and flex the ski or skis with a springing action. Accordingly, shocks caused by the force of waves against the skis are not transmitted to the feet of the skier.

In addition, the skiers weight is distributed on the two relatively small, cross-sectional areas of the steps, which as a result ride low in the water. This reduces the effect of waves on the ski or skis, and the deflection in the front end of each ski caused by the waves. The deflection which does occur is well ahead of the feet of the skier and the flexibility in the ski is more than adequate to accommodate the deflection.

The above greatly reduces muscle fatigue and cramping which are experienced by skiers using conventional skis.

Preferably, the front step is designed with greater amount of lift than the rear step, either by design of the slope and thickness of the step, or shape of the underside of the step. With more lift in the front step, the tendency of the skier to pitch forward in a spill or when stopping is greatly reduced. Unusual stability for the skier is achieved by the steps, even when the ski or skis hit a large wave. This tendency to invariably fall backwards into the water means that the skier is much less likely to be struck by his own skis.

It. is apparent that the invention provides a means for improving upon the usefulness of water skis without in any way adversely affecting the handling of the skis. The stepped skis of the present invention are used in the same manner as ordinary water skis, provide the same fee], and do not require complex attachments. The skis are as stable or even more stable than conventional skis, and do not require special learning or techniques as the employment of, for instance, hydrofoils would.

A number of different step configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention. One such configuration is illustrated in FIG. 4b, which is a cross section taken through the trailing portion of the step. In this embodiment, the leading portion of the step is generally flat similar to that of the front step of FIG. 1, but the trailing portion is rounded on the bottom (at 58) having the cross section of FIG. 4b. This type of configuration is suitable for higher speed skiing, and provides optimum support or lift and at the same time minimum resistance. As the ski moves fasterin the water, the step rises further out of the water, and less of the step is in contact with the water.

A similar functioning step is illustrated in FIG. 40 in which the cross section of the step has a first, narrow, longitudinally extending flat surface 60 at one elevation spaced from the bottom of the ski, and a second broader surface 62 at an elevation intermediate the first surface and the bottom of the ski and on opposite sides of the first surface. The second broader surface is the supporting surface at relatively low speeds, but this lifts clear'of the water at higher speeds, support being generally provided by the first narrower surface. As with the embodiment of FIG. 4b, the step provides optimum lift with minimum drag.

The configurations of FIGS. 4b and 40 can be employed for either the front step, the rear step, or both steps.

In the embodiments of FIGS. I3, the steps are shown as a molded and integral part of the ski. As an alternative, the steps can be manufactured or molded as separate articles, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (items 64 and 66) are simply fastened to the ski bottom surface by means of a plurality of screws 68 or other means. In this way, the steps can be used readily on existing or older skis. 1

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, a further way of molding the'steps integral with the ski is shown. In this example, the skis are provided with shallow dished areas 70 and 72 which represent or constitute the steps of the ski. An advantage with the arrangement of FIGS. 9 and 10 is that the skis are of minimum weight.

Although the steps are shown as having substantially the same width as the ski, clearly they can be of varying width, length and configuration. Also it is understood that, although the invention has been illustrated in terms of one ski only, the second ski when two skis are used, would have the same configuration as the first ski.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A water ski comprising an elongated generally planar flexible body portion;

a curved. upturned, front end on said body portion;

foot-retaining means on the upper surface of said body portion intermediate the ends of the ski;

a front step on the underside of said body portion coextensive with said upturned front end and including a trailing edge which is of substantial thickness, the trailing edge of the front step terminating proximate to the point of transition between the body portion and the upturned front end thereby being remote, with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the ski, from the foot-retaining means for optimum resiliency of the ski body portion when the ski is at planing speed; said ski further including spray deflecting means extending longitudinally and downwardly along the bottom side edges of said front step.

2. The water ski according to claim 1 in which the lowensurface of the front step is concave in part across the width of the step, the edges of the underside of the step concave surface defining said spray deflecting means.

3. The water ski of claim 1 further including a rear step coextensive with the rear end of the ski, said rear step comprising a streamlined leading edge and a portion of greater thickness than said leading edge, said rear step being remote from said foot retaining means for optimum flexibility of the water ski body portion.

4 The water ski of claim 3 in which the bottom of the rear step is generally flat but of decreasing width in the front part thereof blending into a generally V-shaped rear part.

6. The water ski of claim 4 in which said rear step has a reverse angle trailing edge.

6. The water ski of claim 3 in which at least one of the steps has an underside of variable width, wherein the width in cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis of the step is less with greater thickness of the step.

7. The water ski of claim 6 in which said step having an underside of variable width has a convex-shaped underside.

8. The water ski of claim 6 in which the step having an underside of variable width has an underside comprising first and second surfaces, the second surface being at an elevation between the first surface and the bottom of the ski and of greater width than the first surface.

9. The water ski of claim 1 in which the underside of the front step is generally flat across the width thereof, said spray deflecting means being in the shape of downwardly extending fins running longitudinally along the bottom side edges of the step.

I0. A water ski having an elongated substantially planar body portion which constitutes the major length of the ski and a curved, upturned, relatively short length, front end portion integral with the body portion constituting the remainder of the length of the ski, the cross section of the ski body portion being generally rectangular in shape and of relatively uniform small thickness relative its width to provide substantial flexibility under the weight of a skier, the upper and lower surfaces of the body portion being generally flat and including footretaining means on the upper surface intermediate the ends of the ski, the improvement comprising step means on the underside of the ski substantially coextensive with said front-end portion, said step means comprising a streamlined leading edge and an abruptly terminating trailing edge of substantially greater thickness than the leading edge, said trailing edge being proximate to the point of transition between the front-end portion and the body portion and thereby remote from the footretaining means;

the underside of the step presenting a solid face and the trailing edge thereof having sufficient thickness relative and generally flat underside of the body portion of the ski such that the major forces of the water on the ski at planing speeds are exerted against the front step and rear end of the ski, thereby substantially reducing pounding of the surface of the water on that portion of the ski supporting the foot-retaining means.

11. The water ski of claim 10 further including a rear step having a streamlined leading edge and a portion rearward of the leading edge of greater thickness than the leading edge, said rear step being remote from said foot-retaining means to retain optimum resiliency of the ski.

12. The water ski of claim 10 including spray deflecting means extending longitudinally and downwardly along opposite edges of the front step on the underside thereof. 

1. A water ski comprising an elongated generally planar flexible body portion; a curved, upturned, front end on said body portion; foot-retaining means on the upper surface of said body portion intermediate the ends of the ski; a front step on the underside of said body portion coextensive with said upturned front end and including a trailing edge which is of substantial thickness, the trailing edge of the front step terminating proximate to the point of transition between the body portion and the upturned front end thereby being remote, with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the ski, from the foot-retaining means for optimum resiliency of the ski body portion when the ski is at planing speed; said ski further including spray deflecting means extending longitudinally and downwardly along the bottom side edges of said front step.
 2. The water ski according to claim 1 in which the lower surface of the front step is concave in part across the width of the step, the edges of the underside of the step concave surface defining said spray deflecting means.
 3. The water ski of claim 1 further including a rear step coextensive with the rear end of the ski, said rear step comprising a streamlined leading edge and a portion of greater thickness than said leading edge, said rear step being remote from said foot retaining means for optimum flexibility of the water ski body portion. 4 The water ski of claim 3 in which the bottom of the rear step is generally flat but of decreasing width in the front part thereof blending into a generally V-shaped rear part.
 6. The water ski of claim 3 in which at least one of the steps has an underside of variable width, wherein the width in cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis of the step is less with greater thickness of the step.
 6. The water ski of claim 4 in which said rear step has a reverse angle trailing edge.
 7. The water ski of claim 6 in which said step having an underside of variable width has a convex-shaped underside.
 8. The water ski of claim 6 in which the step having an underside of variable width has an underside comprising first and second surfaces, the second surface being at an elevation between the first surface and the bottom of the ski and of greater width than the first surface.
 9. The water ski of claim 1 in which the underside of the front step is generally flat across the width thereof, said spray deflecting means being in the shape of downwardly extending fins running longitudinally along the bottom side edges of the step.
 10. A water ski having an elongated substantially planar body portion which constitutes the major length of the ski and a curved, upturned, relatively short length, front end portion integral with the body portion constituting the remainder of the length of the ski, the cross section of the ski body portion being generally rectangular in shape and of relatively uniform small thickness relative its width to provide substantial flexibility under the weight of a skier, the upper and lower surfaces of the body portion being generally flat and including foot-retaining means on the upper surface intermediate the ends of the ski, the improvement comprising step means on the underside of the ski substantially coextensive with said front-end portion, said step means comprising a streamlined leading edge and an abruptly terminating trailing edge of substantially greater thickness than the leading edge, said trailing edge being proximate to the point of transition between the front-end portion and the body portion and thereby remote from the foot-retaining means; the underside of the step presenting a solid face and the trailing edge thereof having sufficient thickness relative and generally flat underside of the body portion of the ski such that the major forces of the water on the ski at planing speeds are exerted against the front step and rear end of the ski, thereby substantially reducing pounding of the surface of the water on that portion of the ski supporting the foot-retaining means.
 11. The water ski of claim 10 further including a rear step having a streamlined leading edge and a portion rearward of the leading edge of greater thickness than the leading edge, said rear step being remote from said foot-retaining means to retain optimum resiliency of the ski.
 12. The water ski of claim 10 including spray deflecting means extending longitudinally and downwardly along opposite edges of the front step on the underside thereof. 